THE families of Red Caps murdered by 400 Iraqis are considering suing the Army for negligence.

North Wales-based Reg Keys, whose son Thomas was the young-est of the military policeman to die, has been approached by solicitors wanting to take on the case.

Lance-Corporal Keys, 20, was one of six ill-equipped military police killed at a police station in al-Majar al-Kabir, 120 miles north of Basra on June 24 last year.

And his family, along with relatives of the other soldiers who died, have been told they will not be given the full report into what happened.

They will only receive an edited version, which Mr Keys claims will be a whitewash.

"When my son died, the Army made major mistakes," he said. "What we are going to get is a sanitised version of an Army investigation into the Army, behind closed doors.

"My son is now six foot under in a hole in the ground, and we have received nothing to say that he has died for Queen and country.

"Solicitors have telephoned me to ask if they can take on the case for Army incompetence.

"We are going to take advice, but it is fair to say the families are considering legal action to sue the army for compensation."

Mr Keys of Llanuwchllyn, Bala, stressed no decisions have yet been made on the legal action.

Yesterday he reacted angrily after the Ministry of Defence announced campaign medals - the Iraq Medal - will be awarded to soldiers serving in the conflict, known officially as Operation Telic.

All those serving will be eligible, with medals going automatically to those who died while on service.

Mr Keys and Gordon Evans, of Parc Bodnant, Llandudno, who lost his son Llywelyn during the war, say they will both accept the Iraq Medal for their sons.

But the two demanded special recognition for their sons and others killed in the conflict.

The army is investigating how Lance-Corporal Keys and the other military police died.

Mr Keys added: "I will accept the medal, but not to be disrespectful, these are handed out to any Tom, Dick or Harry in the conflict.

"I think it is despicable that there is nothing else. There should be some posthumous recognition.

Llywelyn Evans, known as Welly to his friends, died in a helicopter crash on the first day of the conflict.

His 22-year-old brother Lee was in a helicopter behind and witnessed the crash - yet fought on for three days before receiving compassionate leave.

Mr Evans said: "In the US, for example, if a soldier is injured in conflict, they receive the Purple Heart. In Britain we have nothing."

"Lee should also be recognised. He was so brave. He fought on after his brother died and he kept on going."

Announcing the medals, Adam Ingram MP, Minister for the Armed Forces said: "The medal recognises the collective bravery and achievements of the military and civilian personnel who risked so much to remove Saddam Hussain's oppressive regime."